
What Causes Plantar Warts and How Can I Get Rid of Them?

They’re ugly, often painful, and highly contagious. True, plantar warts are not usually of serious medical concern, but they are a real nuisance. At Foot and Ankle Care of Passaic, Sean Rosenblum, DPM has been helping patients remedy and ankle problems, including plantar warts, for nearly two decades.
In this blog, he upacks everything you need to know about plantar warts, how to prevent them, and what to do if you get them.
What are plantar warts?
Plantar warts are noncancerous skin growths, caused by a viral infection in the top layer of the skin. They are highly common, especially in children and teens.
Symptoms of plantar warts
Plantar warts are characterized by:
- Bulging, bumpy, fleshy growths on the weight-bearing parts of your feet, such as your heels
- Tenderness and pain in your feet when you stand or walk
- Crusty, yellow, raised areas with a black dot in the center
Plantar warts also present as lesions and can cluster together in a cauliflower-like formation.
Cause of plantar warts
Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which gets into your body through cuts in your skin. There are many strains of the HPV virus. Those that cause common warts on the hands and feet are not the same strains of HPV that cause genital warts.
Because plantar warts are so contagious, Dr. Rosen makes these recommendations to prevent HPV and the development of plantar warts:
- Place a bandage over cuts and open wounds
- Wear shoes in communal showers and pools
- Practice good hygiene
- Keep your feet dry
One of the best ways to prevent plantar warts is to refrain from sharing shoes and socks and personal care products, like makeup, razors, towels, soaps, and bath sponges.
Treatment options for plantar warts
Dr. Rosenblum offers a full menu of the latest treatment options for plantar warts. Because each patient is different, at Foot and Ankle Care of Passaic you always receive a personalized plan. When it comes to remedying plantar warts, your program may include one or more of the following:
- Prescription-strength salicylic acid peeling medicine
- Liquid nitrogen applications, known as cryotherapy
- Electrodesiccation and curettage surgery
- Pulsed-dye laser sessions
If you suspect you have plantar warts, and for all your foot care needs, call Foot and Ankle Specialty Centers today or schedule an appointment using our online booking feature.
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